Page:A poem on the present assembling of the Parliament, March 6th, 1678 - Waller (1679).djvu/4

 Howe're 'tmust be confest, the Gallick Pow'rs Can ne're Engage on Equal Terms with Ours. In Nature we have th' Odds, they Dread, we Scorn, The English o're the French are Conq'rors Born.

The Terrour still of our Third Name Rebukes their Pride, and Damps their tow'ring Fame; Nor can the Tide of many rouling Years Wash the stain'd Fields of Cressey and Poictiers. A pointed Horrour strikes their Bosomes still, When they survey that famous, fatall Hill, Where with his Host Spectator stood, And left the Prince to make the Conquest good. The Eagle thus from her fledg'd Young withdraws, Trusts 'em t'engage whole Troops of Kites and Daws Nor has the black Remembrance left their Brest How our Fifth to their Paris prest, Whilst France wept Blood for their hot Dauphin's Jest. We forc't their Cavalry their Foot t'ore-run, As Tides withstood, bear their own Billows down: Such was the Virtue of our Ancestours, And such, on just Resentment, shall be Ours; Our Temper'd Valour just Pretence requires, As Flints are Struck, before they shew their Fires.